Has California Told Christians, including John MacArthur, to Sin

[Steven Yeadon]

This is very simple. Evangelicals have long argued that the best way to interpret Romans 13, which teaches obedience to governing powers, is to disobey those powers only in the case of a command to sin against God. In Ancient Rome, the command to sacrifice to idols by all its people was one reason people were even martyred for refusing to sin, by sacrificing to such idols.

Has the State of California ordered Christians to sin against God by having outdoor services? If you think so, or think not, then please explain your reasoning vis-a-vis whether we have been told to sin or not.

 

[JonC]

No. But IMHO churches (congregations, assemblies) have become too dependent on infrastructure and professional/ business models and restrictions hamper operations.

 

[Salty]

No. But IMHO churches (congregations, assemblies) have become too dependent on infrastructure and professional/ business models and restrictions hamper operations.

So what is the alternative?

 

[Steven Yeadon]

No. But IMHO churches (congregations, assemblies) have become too dependent on infrastructure and professional/ business models and restrictions hamper operations.

This brings up a good point, if a lockdown is so severe churches go out of business for lack of funds, then is obeying the government a sin against God?

 

[JonC]

So what is the alternative?

I don't know. I guess congregations living in community. What do they do in places where they do not have church buildings?

I'm not sure, @Salty, of a solution. But I keep thinking resources could be used better.

 

[Deacon]

1. A church is not a business.
2. A building is not a church.

Rob

 

[JonC]

This brings up a good point, if a lockdown is so severe churches go out of business for lack of funds, then is obeying the government a sin against God?

That's the mess we are in. Many churches have already failed as it ceased to function during the Pandemic (during a situation where historically churches were very active).

 

[JonC]

1. A church is not a business.
2. A building is not a church.

Rob

Exactly. But what is the church without its building and business structure? That is my concern here.

 

[Reynolds]

This is very simple. Evangelicals have long argued that the best way to interpret Romans 13, which teaches obedience to governing powers, is to disobey those powers only in the case of a command to sin against God. In Ancient Rome, the command to sacrifice to idols by all its people was one reason people were even martyred for refusing to sin, by sacrificing to such idols.

Has the State of California ordered Christians to sin against God by having outdoor services? If you think so, or think not, then please explain your reasoning vis-a-vis whether we have been told to sin or not.

Have you listened to John explain it for himself?
He plainly says he is defying a command from Ceasar to disobey God.

 

[Reynolds]

1. A church is not a business.
2. A building is not a church.

Rob

We are commanded to gather together.

 

[InTheLight]

We are commanded to gather together.

Actually, we are told not to forsake gathering together.

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[Reynolds]

Actually, we are told not to forsake gathering together.

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Not forsake means to do.

 

[Salty]

1. A church is not a business.
2. A building is not a church.

Rob

I agree with it is not a busness

Now - the Church is the organization of the group of people
but in additions
a church is also a building (secondary meaning)
Yes, I realize that in the Bible - Church always refers to the organization

 

[church mouse guy]

The lockdown is a crime.

 

[asterisktom]

We are commanded to gather together.

This is a verse taken out of context. Read the context. Notice what happens to the forsakers.

Audience relevance is often overlooked here.

 

[xlsdraw]

Actually, we are told not to forsake gathering together.

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Spin Doctor

 

[Wesley Briggman]

1. A church is not a business.
2. A building is not a church.

Rob

1) A church SHOULD NOT be a business.
2) A building is not THE church.

 

[xlsdraw]

In each and every situation, Faith goes along way with God. God is Sovereign and everything we do should be based on that fact. The just shall live by Faith.

 

[JonC]

Spin Doctor

Little miss can't be wrong.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Here is John MacArthurs scriptural defense of his own position. It's worth the read.

Christ, not Caesar, Is Head of the Church